MARTINSBURG, VA., July 9, 1861.
COLONEL: I have received the telegrams of the General-in-Chief, notifying me of the additional regiments sent me. Colonel Stone and the Nineteenth and Twenty-eighth New York Regiments arrived yesterday. General Sandford, with the Fifth and Twelfth New York Regiments, will join to-morrow. Since I last addressed you I have made no movements—in fact, have been prevented by the necessity of sending all my wagons to the rear to obtain provisions for a few days in advance and to bring up troops. The commissary has supplies (with those in hands of troops) for about ten days. Though the quartermaster has spared no exertion, and his agents have been very active, he has not as yet been able to provide a supply train for the command. I am therefore much restricted in my movements, being compelled, after three days’ advance, to send back for provisions. The difficulty will increase as I advance; indeed, I am now almost at a stand. Instead of receiving aid from the inhabitants, I find myself in an enemy’s country, where our opponents can procure supplies and we nothing, except by seizure. Even information is studiously kept from us. Supplies, especially provisions, are very scarce, and not even one day’s rations can be relied upon. The supply of grain also is very limited. Under these circumstances I respectfully present to the General-in-Chief the following plan, which, with my present views, I desire to carry into operation so soon as I can do so with safety and the necessity of following Johnston ceases:
I propose to move this force to Charlestown, from which point I can move easily, strike at Winchester, march to Leesburg when necessary, and open communication to a depot to be established at Harper’s Ferry, and occupy the main avenue of supply to the enemy. My base will then be some seven miles nearer, more easily reached by road, and my line of communication rendered more secure than at present. I can establish communication with the Maryland shore by a bridge of boats. In this way I can more easily approach you, and the movement, I think, will tend to relieve Leesburg and vicinity of some of its oppressors. My present location is a very bad one in a military point of view, and from it I cannot move a portion of the force without exposing that of what remains to be cut off.
General Sandford informs me by letter that he has for me a letter from you. I hope it will inform me when you will put your column in motion against Manassas and when you wish me to strike. The enemy retired in succession from Darkesville and Bunker Hill to Stephenson’s Station, a few miles from Winchester. There he has halted, and report says is intrenching. His design evidently is to draw this force on as far as possible from the base, and then to cut my line or to attack with large re-enforcements from Manassas.
As I have already stated, I cannot advance far, and if I could I think the movement very imprudent. When you make your attack I expect to advance and offer battle. If the enemy retires I shall not pursue. I am very desirous to know when the General-in-Chief wishes me to approach Leesburg. If the notice does not come in any other way, I wish you would indicate the day by telegraph, thus: “Let me hear of you on —-.”
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. PATTERSON,
Major-General, Commanding.
Col. E. D. TOWNSEND,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., U. S. Army, Washington City.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Series I, Vol. II. With additions and corrections. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1902.
Spirit of '61 